Arthur Brisbane, in his first non-introductory column as The New York Times' public editor, tackles a central issue in today's journalism: the shifting, blurring line between fact and opinion and the tension between objectivity and subjectivity.
He notes that, until a few decades ago, there was no real effort to park perspectives before embarking on journalism. But in today's environment, with such abundance of competition, it is clear that the practice of managing subjectivity is less in vogue than ever.
Brisbane notes the struggle to take on more perspective while remaining impartial, but he takes on the Times for its menu of titles on content that takes on point-of-view. As he sees it, the label ought to be clear --- either that, or don't bother.
He also criticizes the Times for working with a San Francisco-based outlet, The Bay Citizen, in delivering local content for that market in its pages. As he also sees it, the challenge in working through the transition to more perspectives may be better dealt with internally before outsourcing the delicate issue.
He notes that, until a few decades ago, there was no real effort to park perspectives before embarking on journalism. But in today's environment, with such abundance of competition, it is clear that the practice of managing subjectivity is less in vogue than ever.
Brisbane notes the struggle to take on more perspective while remaining impartial, but he takes on the Times for its menu of titles on content that takes on point-of-view. As he sees it, the label ought to be clear --- either that, or don't bother.
He also criticizes the Times for working with a San Francisco-based outlet, The Bay Citizen, in delivering local content for that market in its pages. As he also sees it, the challenge in working through the transition to more perspectives may be better dealt with internally before outsourcing the delicate issue.
